Here's another way to make the switch. I placed a simple slider switch in a one inch diameter acrylic tube, made two end caps, and then used a BHS seal for the actuating shaft. The shaft is connected to the capstan on the deck of the Type VII. Pull it up and power is turned off, push it down and it's on.

Jeff'I still say that you are a "subvert" but I like your ideas.After we discussed your switch idea last year I tried to use it in my Type VIIC conversion,but not enough room.It will be used on my next boat which will be bigger. TD

I use a miniature toggle switch rated at 5 amps mounted inside the WTC. I connected a brass rod to the toggle to activate it and ran it out the end cap through a regular 1/8 in. pushrod seal to the outside.

Edited By Crazy Ivan on 1141946263

George "Crazy Ivan" Protchenko

“There are the assassins, the dealers in death; I am the Avenger!”-Nemo"I'm disinclined to acquiesce to your request; means No!"-Capt.Barbossa

Hi I came up with the following idea for my scratch build 1:81 Ohio, and thought that you guys might be interested in it. Finding a watertight switch that was not too big, nor heavy, proved difficult. I therefore choose a reed relay. It's a relay that's activated with a loose magnet, like a "key" without which the sub can not be turned on..

This module goes under the hatch in the missile deck.
The left reed-relay is the "On / Off", the right reed-relay is the "Dive disable / enable" switch. The two loose magnets are the activation "keys" for these switches. (Which drives relays within WTC1)
The round stereo jack socket in the middle, is for the charge plug for the batteries.

The four holes are for cable ties.
The black fork-shaped piece holds the magnet "key" in place when fitted, and missing is only some sort of snap lock, securing the "key" when inserted. Here one of the "keys" has been inserted for illustration.

This is the lower side, showing the two blocks that holds the reed-relays in place. A slot was filed in the aluminum, allowing a secure fit of the reed-relays. (They are shaped just as the magnet "keys", but has got wires coming out of them.
The gold plated stereo jack (recharge plug), and the reed-relay wires, will be fitted with the wires from WTC1 shortly.

This shows where the control panel goes under the hatch. (not shown, hinge is not done.) When the sub is surfaced, this will be above the waterline, thus allowing charging while in the water.

This image shows the control panel temporary fitted within the hull, and with the hatch placed on top of the missile deck. The little white blick that sticks out from the left side of the hole, holds a small magnet. Another magnet is molded into the hatch, thus the hatch is pretty well "shut and locked" when closed. (If I turned the magnets the right way around, that is...)
Of cause the hinge will go under the missile deck, but this shows pretty well the general idea.

The brass arms was bend in one piece after sticking it through the hinge base. (White block) The ends of this brass rod ends in the two red blocks mounted on the lower side of the open hatch. The arc of the brass rods follows the circle that the moving hinge draws when operated, thus making them appear static.

Well.. hope I inspired someone. Drop me a mail if you've got any questions, I'll be happy to share details.

I am afraid I resorted to lo-tech.
In the end I used a normal switch, which can be reached
via the front WTC endcap.
I glued a coca cola bottle cap onto the endcap. so you can remove
the bottle cap and then (just barely) operate the switch.